Bill

Oregon Senate Passes Bill to Provide Tax Relief for Wildfire Survivors, Allowing Them to Keep More of Their Settlements

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SALEM, Oregon — The Oregon Senate unanimously passed a bill on Wednesday that aims to provide financial relief to survivors of wildfires in the state. Sponsored by Senator Brian Boquist, the bill, known as Senate Bill 1520, introduces a tax exemption for court awards and settlements related to wildfires. The legislation comes in response to several lawsuits filed against PacifiCorp, which a jury found responsible for sparking four Labor Day wildfires in 2020. Survivors of these wildfires have received millions of dollars in settlements and awards. However, due to federal tax laws, they have only … Read more

Kansas Senate Introduces Bill to Limit Health Officers’ Authority Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

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TOPEKA, Kan. – The Kansas Senate is once again attempting to revise public health laws in response to criticism of the state’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week, a bill to remove health officers’ authority to issue orders was passed, as was a bill guaranteeing visitation access to hospitalized family members. However, neither bill had enough votes to override a potential veto. In November 2021, backlash against the pandemic response prompted Republicans to call the state’s first special legislative session, leading to the passage of a bill targeting employer vaccine mandates. Democratic Governor Laura … Read more

Iowa House Passes Bill to Strengthen Compliance with Open Meetings and Records Laws

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Davenport, Iowa – The Iowa House has overwhelmingly passed a bill aimed at improving local government compliance with the state’s open meetings and open records laws. House File 2539, approved by 92 votes to 2 on February 22, would increase fines for members of a local government body who participated in an open meetings violation. The current range of fines, from $100 to $500, would be raised to a range of $500 to $2,500. Penalties would be even greater for those who “knowingly” participated in the violation, with fines between $5,000 and $12,500. In addition … Read more

Louisiana Senate Passes Bill Requiring Ignition Interlocks for First-Time DUI Offenders, Aiming to Reduce Alcohol-Related Crashes

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BATON ROUGE, Louisiana – The Louisiana Senate has unanimously approved a measure aimed at curbing drunk driving by imposing stricter penalties on first-time offenders. Sponsored by Senator Rick Edmonds, the bill mandates the use of ignition interlock devices for at least six months following a first conviction for driving while intoxicated (DWI). This move is seen as a significant step toward creating a safer environment on Louisiana’s roads. Currently, judges in Louisiana can decide whether or not to order the use of ignition interlock devices. However, the newly passed legislation will require their implementation for … Read more